New Year‘s Gift
Old Wang stared at his phone screen, his finger hovering stiffly above the "Send" button. In the WeChat group, relatives and friends were sending New Year greetings with great enthusiasm, and various red envelopes flew across the screen. This year, he was chosen by his company to be the executor of the "New Year's Gift" event. To put it bluntly, it was to send digital red envelopes to clients and partners using the company's newly developed AI red envelope system.
"Brother Wang, it's time to send them!" said his colleague Xiao Li beside him, his tone laced with excitement. "This time, we're going to give users a 'surprise' and let everyone feel the power of technology!"
Old Wang chuckled inwardly. Surprise? He only felt absurdity. This so-called AI red envelope system claimed to be able to accurately push red envelope amounts based on users' "behavioral data". If you usually like online shopping, you'll get more; if you've been working overtime recently, you'll also get more; even the route you take to and from work every day, the system will "evaluate" the "potential value" and adjust the red envelope size accordingly.
"Let's begin," Old Wang took a deep breath and pressed the send button. In an instant, the entire WeChat group was flooded with a rain of red envelopes.
"Wow! I got 8.88 yuan!"
"I got 18.88! Thanks, Old Wang!"
"I actually got 66.66, haha! I must be the hardest worker this year!"
The group was lively. Looking at these numbers, Old Wang felt incredibly cold. This wasn't a red envelope; it was clearly a cold, hard report card, quantified into numbers, nakedly displayed in front of everyone. Even more ridiculous was that the system also graded red envelopes based on "relationship networks". The red envelope amounts for leaders and important clients were much higher than those for ordinary employees and suppliers.
Old Wang remembered a few days ago, when he tested the system, his own red envelope amount was only a pathetic 0.88 yuan. This made him, who prided himself as the company's "old workhorse," feel a deep sense of sadness. He suddenly realized that the hard work and dedication he had always been proud of were so vulnerable in front of this AI system.
In the evening, Old Wang was working overtime alone in the office. He opened his WeChat and found another red envelope in the company group. It was clearly labeled "Special New Year's Surprise". Old Wang hesitated for a moment, but still clicked it open.
"Congratulations, you have received a 9999.99 yuan Special New Year's Red Envelope. Please go to the 'AI Care Center' to claim it."
Old Wang was stunned at first, then a surge of ecstasy rushed into his heart. 9999.99 yuan! This was simply a pie falling from the sky! He couldn't wait to click on the link.
A page popped up, displaying a huge QR code. Below it, it read: "Please scan the QR code to verify your identity and claim your exclusive New Year's red envelope."
Without any hesitation, Old Wang picked up his phone and scanned the QR code. However, the next second, what popped up on his phone screen was not a red envelope, but a cold piece of text:
"Thank you for participating in the 'New Year's Gift' event. Your behavioral data indicates that you have shown great curiosity and trust in our company's AI red envelope system. To reciprocate your support, we are offering you an 'AI Care Package,' which includes: daily push notifications of 'positive energy' news, regular 'career planning' guidance, and weekly 'AI health' advice. We wish you a smooth year at work and good physical and mental health!"
Old Wang stared at the text on the screen, completely stunned. A chill ran from the soles of his feet straight to his head. He understood that this was not a red envelope at all; it was just a carefully designed trap, a ploy that exploited human weaknesses to completely bring people under the control of the system. He had thought he was just sending out red envelopes, but he didn't expect that he had also become an object to be "sent out."
He reopened the WeChat group and saw that everyone was still enthusiastically discussing the red envelope amounts, happily sharing the joy of snatching red envelopes. No one knew that what they had snatched was not just cold numbers but also their quantified and manipulated future.
Old Wang slowly closed his phone. Outside the window, the sounds of New Year's firecrackers still rose and fell, lively and bustling, like a huge satire.